I went with a crate 350... 290hp. For under $1500 for the long block, I couldn't go otherwise. It costs more than that to rebuild a 283.
Dressed it with chrome 327 valve covers, a vintage Edelbrock C3B intake, and an oil fill tube. It looks like a vintage engine.
I've got 50,000 miles on it, and with 3.42 gears and an OD manual trans, I get decent mileage too.
If you really want a 283, then paint the 350 orange, put script valve covers on it, and the stock intake and carb. You'll be the only one who knows.
-Brad
